A loss to Tuttle last Thursday night placed the Racers at 0-2 for the year. Second half scoring in the pre-season matchup placed Newcastle on the scoreboard, but two Tuttle touchdowns in the first and second quarters gave the Class 4A number one Tigers the edge, 28-14.
Tuttle scored once in the first period, once in the second period, and twice in the third for their game total. Newcastle had scores in the third and fourth quarters.
Racer Head Coach Bo Bradshaw said there were many Newcastle offensive series where the Racers were behind the chains due to penalties.
“We need to play a much cleaner game if we are going to compete at the top level in the state,” Bradshaw said. “Our offense started the game slow and our defense became weary at the end of the game.”
Bradshaw said the biggest game-changing plays against the Racers were deep passes for touchdowns and penalties.
The Racers did have some big game moments, however, as both Alec Shumard and Montre McGlugritch caught touchdown passes from Duke Berchtold, according to Bradshaw. He added that Ben Rogers had a couple of big runs to flip field position.
“Ben Rogers had a great game running the ball,” Bradshaw added. “Deacon Lyles helped significantly in the punt game. He flipped field position multiple times. The defensive unit had four ‘3-and-outs’ to immediately give the offense the ball back.”
Individual game honors go to Ashton Shumard, Player of the Week; Daijzon Wilson, Defensive Player of the Week; Alec Shumard, Offensive Player of the Week; Deacon Lyles, Special Teams Player of the Week; Preston Scagnetti, Hammer Award; Johnny Shawn, Practice Player of the Week; and Shain Jackson, Lifter of the Week.
Newcastle takes on the Blanchard Lions tomorrow night (Friday) at Blanchard.
Bradshaw said they are a good team who are well-coached.
“They have a strong tradition, and there is a lot of history between our two teams,” he said. “They will be tough to defeat at their home field.”
Bradshaw said Blanchard has a talented quarterback and a defense that plays hard. Game time is 7 p.m.
Jay Ashton and Damari Morgan go for the block on a Tuttle field goal attempt Thursday night at Newcastle. • photos by Mindi Stuck
